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Job Title Scientific Programmer / Senior Scientific Programmer for Next Generation Diffraction Data Analysis
Job Reference DIA0735/CG
Post Type
Division Science
Salary information Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Application deadline 17/06/2012


Job Description

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. Located at Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, we enable world-leading research across a wide range of scientific disciplines and industrial applications.

We are developing, in collaboration with other UK and EU facilities, wholly new software for the analysis of diffraction data from biological samples using new generation X-ray detectors and X-ray sources including the X-ray free electron laser. These developments will aid the visualization of complex biological macromolecules that has a immediate relevance to the fundamental understanding of life processes and has a direct impact on human health through the understanding of disease and development of new drugs. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in defining and implementing the state-of-art in diffraction data analysis to tackle challenging biological problems for the coming decades.

We are looking for highly motivated scientific programmers with proven experience in delivering software for structural biologists. The successful candidate will work closely with a team of scientists and programmers at Diamond, CCP4 and other European sites on the development of algorithms and software for diffraction data integration. The project forms part of the BioStruct-X initiative (www.biostruct-x.org) to provide users of European X-ray facilities with advanced tools to enable structural biology.

Senior Scientific Programmer
To develop new diffraction data integration software as part of a European Union funded collaboration BioStruct-X.

  • Development of scientific software for the BioStruct-X Data Analysis work package (http://www.biostruct-x.org/content/x-ray-data-integration). Will include development, installation, testing (in collaboration with the software users) and support of the software on the Diamond MX beamlines;
  • Coordinate the day-to-day development of the software at Diamond in close collaboration with CCP4 and other developers in the Diamond Data Analysis team;
  • Author and contribute to scientific papers arising from the developments;
  • Produce reports and documentation (e.g. manuals) in association with the Project Leader and in line with the BioStruct-X requirements;
  • Project manage the delivery of the required outputs, including preparation of project, budget, resource and procurement plans;
  • If required, lead a small team, providing direction, support and motivation, taking responsibility for escalated issues and provision of a high quality service/output;
  • Contribute to the development of new systems and approaches through identification of possible improvements and structured recommendations to management;
  • Deliver high quality reporting and professional advice, presenting findings to senior management and guiding future approach;
  • Organise and chair technical meetings to ensure the project is delivered on time and to specification.

Scientific Programmer
To contribute to the development of new diffraction data integration software as part of a European Union funded collaboration BioStruct-X. The successful candidate will work within a small team of programmers at Diamond and in collaboration with other project partners. The project aims to develop data integration program that will be modular in design and work at very high speeds and be compatible with the latest detection technology at synchrotrons and FELs.

  • Contribute to the development of algorithms and software for the BioStruct-X Data Analysis project;
  • Work closely with the BioStruct-X development team at Diamond and in close collaboration with CCP4 and other developers in the Diamond Data Analysis team;
  • Author and contribute to scientific papers arising from the developments;
  • Produce reports and documentation (e.g. manuals) in association with the Project Leader and developer team and in line with the BioStruct-X requirements;
  • Contribute to the development of new systems and approaches through identification of possible improvements and structured recommendations to management;
  • Deliver high quality reporting and professional advice, presenting findings to senior management and guiding future approach. 

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Appropriate degree or equivalent qualification or experience;
  • Experience of contributing in a major way to a successful scientific software project;
  • Good working knowledge of scientific programming;
  • Good interpersonal, communication, organizational and presentational skills;
  • Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
  • Self motivation;
  • Be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.

Essential for appointment at the higher level:

  • Experience of managing a sucessful full cycle software project;
  • A good working knowledge of scientific programming at a high standard / level.

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Experience in advanced programming techniques (OO, C++, Python) - Essential for appointment at the higher level;
  • Expertise of leading a small software development team - Desirable for appointment at the higher level;
  • Knowledge and/or experience of X-ray crystallography
  • Knowledge of software engineering good practice
  • Experience with crystallographic software libraries (Clipper, CCTBX etc)
  • Experience in providing expert support to end-users
  • Experience in use of collaborative tools (software repositories, bug tracking)
  • Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
  • Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours.

 

Further Information

For further information or an informal discussion about this vacancy, please email gwyndaf.evans@diamond.ac.uk

Applying for employment

For further details on applying for employment at Diamond, please visit our 'Application Form' page.

Appointments will be made depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Electronic Diamond application forms in MS-Word are preferred. These should be emailed to recruitment@diamond.ac.uk



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